Two .500 groups a lot in want of a successful streak go head-to-head Sunday afternoon in San Francisco when the Minnesota Timberwolves go to the Golden State Warriors.
The assembly is one in all two remaining at Golden State for the set of Western Conference playoff contenders who break up video games at Minnesota earlier this season.
The most up-to-date of these encounters occurred earlier this month, when the Timberwolves clamped down defensively in time beyond regulation, holding the Warriors with no 3-pointer in 5 makes an attempt throughout the additional interval and simply 4 factors total for a 119-114 triumph.
Golden State had its long-range offensive sport in excessive gear Friday night time at residence in opposition to the Houston Rockets, making a season-high-tying 26 3-pointers — one off the NBA file — in a 116-101 victory.
The Warriors’ Klay Thompson delivered in simply his second back-to-back of the season and did so with out Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. Thompson torched the Rockets with 12 3-pointers in 17 makes an attempt, lacking his personal particular person NBA file for made 3-pointers by simply two.
“He was brilliant tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr gushed. “It’s so great to see him now at the point where he can do this. This was his second back-to-back. He looked great out there. Playing 35 minutes on the second night of back-to-back, that’s big-time.”
Thompson shot 5-for-8 on 3-point makes an attempt on a 21-point night time when the Warriors gained 137-114 at Minnesota in November. Golden State obtained a mixed 61 factors from Curry, Wiggins and Green in that sport.
Thompson may need Green alongside this time because the veteran took Friday off to relaxation a bruised knee. But Curry stays out a minimum of one other week with a knee damage, and there’s no timetable on the return of Wiggins, who’s been away from the workforce for private causes.
While the Warriors attempt to construct upon Friday’s win with 4 extra residence video games within the subsequent six days, the Timberwolves let a chance slip away when it absorbed consecutive residence losses to the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets on every finish of the All-Star break.
The Timberwolves acquired 15 factors from Mike Conley – his most in 4 video games with the workforce – throughout Friday’s 121-113 loss to the Hornets. Perhaps extra essential than something, the veteran level guard acquired extra acquainted along with his new teammates.
“We’re not going to make every shot,” Conley mentioned. “So when we don’t make shots, what can we run? How can we get to the free-throw line and not turn it over? Those things that we’re all capable of doing individually. Guys can get better at decision-making. Guys can get better at giving guys the ball and getting back in urgency on defense late in games.”
The Timberwolves embark on a four-game California swing in opposition to Western Conference contenders in opposition to each Los Angeles groups and the Sacramento Kings, following the cease in San Francisco. But it achieve this with out Karl-Anthony Towns, who has missed the final 41 video games with a calf damage.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch believes the Towns is near returning, however which may not be till the Timberwolves return residence to host the Philadelphia 76ers on March 7. That would imply the Warriors would see him of their last head-to-head on March 26.
